2014-05-01 Farmer Health on the Agenda – Hamilton Spectator
2014-05-01Farmer Health on the Agenda – Hamilton Spectator [PDF 58kb]
2014-04-29 Federal Government urged to support the National Centre for Farmer Health – Simon Ramsay
Federal Government urged to support the National Centre for Farmer Health in Hamilton [PDF 94kb]
State Member for Western Victoria Simon Ramsay has called on the Abbott Federal Government to provide funding in the May Budget for Hamilton’s National Centre for Farmer Health.
Mr Ramsay is a strong advocate for the ongoing funding through the Western District Health Service for the Centre to continue its work in working with farming families.
“The centre works specifically to improve the quality of life for Australia’s farming community, in response to a disturbing trend of poor physical and mental health in that demographic of the community,” Mr Ramsay said. Mr Ramsay has been a long-time supporter of the centre, especially in his former role as the President of the Victorian Farmers Federation.
“In my previous life representing the farming community, I was well aware of the work of the National Centre of Farmer Health in the sustainable farming family project.
“This was active during one of the worst droughts Australia has seen. It was critical in reducing the impact of high rates of depression and suicides in our farming communities,” Mr Ramsay said. “Poor farmer health and incidence of disease is high in the farming communities and the nature of their work requires specific research and programs to respond to this disturbing trend”.
The Centre has been operating since November 2008 as a partnership between the Western District Health Service and Deakin University.
It works to support farmers by researching and advising of farms safety matters, with an emphasis on health and mental health for the farm sector that traditionally has not been proactive on this front. The work also creates a broader awareness for farm-related industries and associates. Mr Ramsay congratulated the Handbury family for providing the seed funding for the Centre and the Napthine Government for allocating $250,000 in its Health budget to complement a national approach.
“I now call on the Abbott Government to provide a similar commitment that will truly provide a National approach to a national problem,” Mr Ramsay said.
2014-03-05 No support for National Centre for Farmer Health in droughts $10.7m social services funding – The Weekly Times
No support for National Centre for Farmer Health in droughts $10.7m social services funding (Source: The Weekly Times)
2014-04-09 Rural groups want roads and rail announcements in Victorian Budget
Rural groups want roads and rail announcements in Victorian Budget (Source: The Weekly Times)
2014-04-24 National Centre for Farmer Health pleads for Budget funding
National Centre for Farmer Health pleads for Budget funding (Source: The Weekly Times)
Libby Harricks Memorial Oration
The 2014 Libby Harricks Memorial Oration will be delivered by Clinical Associate Professor Susan Brumby at 4pm Saturday 3 May at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, part of the 8th National Deafness Sector Summit.
In 2014 the Libby Harricks Memorial Oration is sponsored by Cochlear Ltd and Australian Hearing.
Libby Harricks Memorial Oration
2014-03-29 Workshops provide valuable information for farmers – Hamilton Spectator
2014-03-29 Workshops provide valuable information for farmers – Hamilton Spectator
Women Towards Sustainability E-Leaders Program
The National Rural Women’s Coalition is currently calling for applications from women who are working as primary producers or working in the area of sustainability who want to improve their natural resource management skills and knowledge.
If you are keen to connect with other rural women around Australia and bring your chosen on-ground project to life……………….apply today. The industry’s best will present a free series of webinars as part of the e-leaders program.
Applications close 4th April 2014 at 4 pm, AEST.
Apply online for this FREE webinar program.
www.nrwc.com.au
2013-11-14 Victorian Farmers Federation supports National Centre for Farmer Health
The partnership between the National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) and the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), Victoria’s peak farmer lobby group, builds upon their strong history together in Victoria in delivering the Sustainable Farm families program to farming families.
Recently the Chief Executive Officer of Western District Health Service, Jim Fletcher, Board member Hugh Macdonald, acting Director NCFH Cate Mercer- Grant , President of the VFF, Peter Tuohey, Policy Manger Darryl Harrison and Federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan met to discuss the ongoing importance of farmer health, wellbeing and safety and the subsequent impact of ignoring these important factors on a farm business and in particular its productivity and viability .
Jim Fletcher said “the meeting consolidated a vital industry-agency partnership, with the VFF partnering with us in the delivery of over 40% of our Sustainable Farm Families programs across Victoria. An important element of this partnership is ensuring that health, wellbeing and safety of farming families and thereby productivity and sustainability of the farm business in Victoria remains on both industry and government policy agendas.”
“The centre has played a key role in helping farming families realise that maintaining their health and safety was a vital part of running a profitable business. The centre has helped farmers realise that if they don’t manage their health then they could end up being unable to manage the farm. It’s a tragedy that this Centre is battling to survive, at a time when farming families need all the support they can get in the face of cuts to traditional regional health services. ” VFF president Peter Tuohey said.
Jim Fletcher also reported to the group that the ‘National Centre for Farmer Health continues to liaise with the Victorian Coalition Government and have received a response from the Premier, Denis Napthine advising that he has requested the Victorian Minister For Health to reopen discussions with the new Federal coalition government members. He also reported that he is heartened by recent correspondence from Jaala Pulford, MP Member for Western Victoria, Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Regional and Rural Development and Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Agriculture commending the NCFH on the outstanding work it has undertaken and reiterating the Labor Party’s position as stated in Hansard that restoring funding to the NCFH makes good economic sense, as well as health sense.
Mr. Fletcher said ‘The support from Dan Tehan, Member for Wannon in attending the VFF meeting has also been positive, assisting us with paving the way for future discussions with the National Farmers Federation , the Assistant Minister for Health Senator Fiona Nash and other Federal Members.”
The National Centre for Farmer Health continues to lobby the Victorian and Federal Governments to survive and continue its proven and essential services to improve the health, wellbeing and safety of Farm families and workers; thereby contributing to productivity and sustainability of the farm business.
Media Contacts:
Jim Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer – (03) 5551 8215
Tom Whitty, VFF Public Affairs Advisor – 0466 466 035
2013-09-06 Agricultural Health and Medicine 2014 ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN!
Agricultural Health and Medicine 2014
ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN!
Scholarships available
Cross – Sector collaboration CAN make a difference to farming communities.
Farm men, women, agricultural workers and their families are slowly gaining an awareness of their health, wellbeing and safety risks.
Be a part of the change!
“I was very excited to find a course that could combine my knowledge and skills from nursing and my interests in the agricultural industry, and provide me with a solid post graduate qualification.” Mathew Pigram, 2013 scholarship recipient Clinical nurse specialist, Alice Springs
The Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Health and Medicine H522 and is delivered at a postgraduate level through Deakin University, School of Medicine and aims to address the drought of agricultural health knowledge and improve service delivery and professional understanding for farming communities – your communities.
The core unit of Agricultural Health and Medicine HMF701 will be offered as a five-day intensive in Hamilton, Victoria on February 24th – 28th 2014.
The five-day intensive curriculum will ensure students increase their knowledge about agricultural medicine and co-morbidities, including respiratory health, common cancers and traumatic injuries, issues associated with mental health such as suicide and addiction, as well as external health hazards typical to the industry, such as pesticide and veterinary chemical use. Importantly, students will gain a greater understanding about what is needed for effective health provision in Australia’s agricultural industries.
By studying Agricultural Health and Medicine HMF701 (as a post graduate course or a single unit) you will become part of the next generation of agricultural and health leaders (nurses, doctors, veterinarians, farmers and agricultural professionals) who understand the value of multidisciplinary collaboration and can make a difference in rural communities. HMF701 is also the prerequisite for eligible health professionals wishing to become AgriSafe™ clinicians.
Scholarships are now available for HMF701 and are aimed to financially assist people who do not have access to financial support from either their workplace or other funding agencies. Applicants must be enrolled in the Graduate Certificate of Agricultural Health and Medicine H522 to be eligible for a scholarship. Scholarship applications close November 24th, 2013.
For further information on how to apply visit www.deakin.edu.au
For more information on Agricultural Health and Medicine and scholarships go to www.farmerhealth.org.au or contact Unit Chair,
Clinical Associate Professor
Susan Brumby on 03 5551 8533
2013-10-09 Free health checks at Warwick campdraft and rodeo
A unique partnership between the National Centre for Farmer Health, Queensland Rural Medical Education and Medicare Local – Darling Downs South West Queensland have initiated a novel program where they are giving free health checks to campdrafters, bull and bronco riders and rodeo enthusiasts at the Warwick Showground’s during the October 2013 Rodeo.
The team is encouraging all attendees to ‘Buck and draft out bad health’ with visits to our marquee. If you are connected with the campdraft and rodeo, we are there to help you. When heart rates start going up as chutes are opened, there might be more to it than just the excitement of the day.
The role of the team is to better educate those in the agricultural industry that being mentally and physically up to the task is as vital to their business as their success in the ring. It’s a busy time of the year for attendees and what a great way to start – with a check up!
There will be a team of health professionals and medical students from Griffith University at the Rodeo from Wednesday through until Friday to provide health checks and the opportunity for individual health assessments.
Scott Kitchener, Medical Director QRME, says the health checks will only take 5 – 10 minutes. That’s quicker than getting a cup of coffee and will cover all the key indicators of health – good or bad, he says. “That’s cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure and wellbeing. If there is trouble or even the slightest warning we will find it, and on site we will be able to refer you to a senior medical practitioner”
This unique team has an emphasis on preventative health and identifying strategies to agricultural workers to operate at full capacity and still be healthy and safe. The team who first formed to deliver health assessments at FarmFest 2012 is looking forward to catching up with you at Warwick.
Further information:
Cate Mercer-Grant, Acting Director – National Centre for Farmer Health
T: (03) 55518508
Scott Kitchener, Medical Director/Chief Executive Officer – Queensland Rural Medical Education
T: 07 46387999
2013-06-29 Helping farming families affected by a traumatic death
2013-06-29 Helping farming families affected by a traumatic death [PDF 245kb]